Sarah Melito COMM 228 Midterm Portfolio Questions 1, 2, 5, & 6 Becoming a Learner Most of the world plays the role of a student at least once in their lives. We are taught and expected to learn, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that anything is actually learned and stored in our memories. Majority of times people learn enough just to get by; just to get that perfect grade or perfect score. The difference between a learner and a student is that a learner takes that next step and starts learning outside of the classroom, and starts focusing on knowledge, instead of what grade they are going to get. In his book, Becoming a Learner: Realizing the Opportunity of Education, Matthew Sanders explains and defends the importance of transitioning from a student to a learner. These two perspectives of being a learner and a student are extremely important to understand for our actions in the world. Today, there are an abundance of skills that employers are looking for. Most college graduates can present themselves appropriately on paper with accomplishments, transcripts, degrees, awards, etc. The paper and basic skills that employers are assumed to deem important, aren’t important any longer. The applicant’s character, how they think, and how they solve problems are carefully considered during hiring processes. Employers want employees who can think critically and solve problems quickly and effectively. Sanders claims that in order to think critically and solve
While reading “Becoming a Learner” by Matthew L. Sanders, I found many interesting points on college education that I have never really focused on. One of my favorite statements that Sanders makes is that “who you are still matters more than what you can do because it speaks to your long term potential for success.” I thought this was very interesting and inspiring because it is encouraging the reader to focus on developing themselves rather than some impractical skills. I also thought it was really cool when Sanders made the point that “it’s not only what you do that counts; it’s also how you do it.” I thought that this quote is relatable on so many different levels, especially in the aspect of college. Sometimes you can take the easy way
When carrying out everyday tasks, it may seem that it’s always tedious and mundane, driving the person to even question the point in doing it. The answer is quite obvious, yet it’s not. They are simply learning even more than what they already know. When doing anything from walking down the street to sitting at a desk for 8 hours, someone can learn something out of it. Just by being there it’s easy for someone to observe and learn new things thanks to their current environment. The point is, not all learning comes from academic environments. People can obtain just as much knowledge and skills in everyday life than they can in school settings if the environment and situations are right.
Having a learner’s heart means being open to improving on the skills one already has or being humble enough to acknowledge that they do not know everything. The is a heavy burden in believe that you have come your final opinion or knowledge on anything. The course text book has brought up the need for being a lifelong learner a few times and I believe it is a skill that all people should refine and take up. The encouragement to being a lifelong learned supplement by the tools provided by the course text have been beneficial to be understanding and practice. Some of the tools the course text lists include making time to learn, meeting new people, and going online. Since reading this book, I have tried to implement at least these three things. Making time to learn have been one of the biggest ones. I have also allowed myself to ask questions. Being in college accompanied with being a first-generation college student, I have felt the need to just know things. My family’s assumption about my education has impacted me; several of them assume that college has taught me everything and I am afraid to seem like I do not know things. The education they help me pay for needs to be shown to them through my knowledge. There is a freedom in being able to say “I don’t know, but I’ll try and find out”. I know my family is excited about my education and does not understand exactly what my education and knowledge entails. Being a learner means I do not have to know everything and I can continue to learn from all circumstances and anyone who is willing to teach
During my undergraduate career, I have learn a lot more than what was taught in the classroom. It was an experience that you cannot describe in words; something you can only experience. Luckily, I had environment that encouraged me to explore beyond what a textbook has to over via instructor, counselor or peer. When your challenges are arranged as a journey of learning, surrounded by a supportive environment, the wonders you can learn about the world are endless.
In our society individuals’ intelligence is classified depending on ones educational background. Many careers do not require any type of higher education, while others demand specific knowledge and degrees to prove someone’s competence. Since a long time ago our civilization has been divided in to the working class also known as blue collar, and the administrative class also known as white collar, meaning those who have a higher income than many in the blue collar class, and do not have to get their hands dirty during their work. When individuals graduate from high school they have two simple options when it comes to careers; either to continue to peruse a higher education by studying hard and knowing that they might not
Before reading Becoming a Learner: Realizing the Opportunity of Education by Matthew Sanders, I saw my personal role as a student in higher education to obtain an education degree so that I can start my career. I was frustrated with all the time and money that I had to take this summer semester to relearn unneeded formulas in Beginning Algebra, write numerous unnecessary essays in English Composition and memorize useless information in General Psychology as they are required core classes in the Education Assistant Program. I just wanted to be able to get into the classes that really mattered. Classes with interesting titles like: Individual Education Programs, Effective Teaching, Develop & Adapt the Curriculum, Behavioral Intervention & Classroom and similar ones that will prepare me to do my job as a teacher's assistant upon graduation.
With maturity comes wisdom, and the importance of education becomes more clear as I look to further my academic career. Understanding the need for dedication in school has allowed me to recognize the great impact the same drive in every aspect of my life will have on my future. It is often thrown upon students to study and turn assignments in: students are taught to jump through hoops to earn. As I continue to mature, However, I have realized that there is more to an education than a grade. In fact, the immense number of factors that can go into or come out of academics has greatly impacted the person I have become. For example, I feel as though it is essential to know that I am more than a grade. I am more than a score. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. perceived and portrayed this idea in his famous quote. He helped pave the way for greatness through education by driving his success through thinking critically having the character to reach his goal of a true education.
There is more to being a student than just reading books and learning such as creating
Plass). Before that the J.H. Plass says, “Learning-to-learn means that you open yourself to discovering the unknown, experiences and then actually become able to do something with it” (J.H. Plass) which I agree with wholeheartedly. Most students go to school, sit in class, go home, do their homework, and study for the test; they are at school to get a good grade and move on and are just learning for the sake of learning. As soon as students take a test they forget the information because all they care about it memorizing facts and getting an A. However, this is not what school and knowledge should be all about. Students should want to learn to better enrich themselves and to pursue their dreams because we are always learning and as the author states, “The honest thief does not stop learning after he hangs his diplomas nicely framed behind his desk. He remains a student for life. This is what he has learned” (J.H. Plass). Everyone should be taught that getting a good grade is not everything, school is not just about your class rank, and education and learning-to-learn should not be taken for granted as well
To begin the argument it should be known that society benefits from college educated individuals. One aspect of college that is repeatedly overlooked is how it can shape one’s mind and allows them to think in entirely new ways not only critically but creatively as well. In fact, according to a report issued by the College Board in 2007 states that “those with a bachelor’s degree, are more likely to volunteer, vote, exercise, and have health insurance and pensions.” (Lewin 18) These are all qualities that make a human being
Critical reflection on the extent to which learning can contribute to the personal development, economic growth and community regeneration of your learners
3 Why it is important to provide opportunities for learners to develop their English, Mathematics, ICT and wide skills such as communication, personal and employability It is the responsibility of every teacher to give learners opportunities to develop their Literacy, Mathematics, ICT and wider skills in lesson. Literacy is important to the learner as they need to communicate clearly during lessons and outside in the community. They will need a command of the language to explain things to others e.g. When visiting the GP or ordering food in a restaurant. In lessons the teacher can embed this skill by asking student to present a report of their experiment to others in the classroom.
How have I learned or not, and do I know what kind of learner I am?
Learning takes place not only in the classroom but also in our everyday lives. This is because to learn does not mean just to gain academic knowledge. Rather, learning refers to acquisition of any kind of knowledge that can give us instructions on how we should behave. Information that we get in the classroom is, without any doubt, useful and proven and it can broaden our mind. However, school years are relatively short in terms of a life span, and, therefore, there are a lot more things that can be
Clients have the ability to identify learning needs in response to the implication of living with their illness. To meet these learn, the nurse assesses and identifies what information clients perceive as necessary in many ways. The client is likely to be more receptive to any information presented to them when they have a need to know something.